You are right, the train sets are made by IHC/Mehano specifically for Loblaws/Canadian Superstores. These are special order items designed just for the Christmas season. I would suggest you "google" the companies.

Hi, I am also quite surprised that Bachmann will release the Birkshire.

The pictures posted of the unit certainly indicate it would be of equal finish to most of the steam Spectrums. Wonder why it will be marketed as a "Standard" model? Could it be something concerning the drive mechanism?

I would have thought that the next company to release a Birkshire would be the Hornby-Riverossi company. As they have the original tooling and have allready re-released the Big Boy, the Allegheny and the Hudson last year. I expect that they would also be releasing the new, updated Bershire in the not too distant future.

I am sidetracking a bit here, but I have a Spectrum 2-6-6-2 and wanted to acquire another and was advised that the units were no longer in production, they seemed to be sold out most places I contacted.

As a result I came across the Mantua's 2-6-6-2 and picked up one of them, Very happy with the unit overall. I would prefer the Spectrum (bias preference) but it still is a most acceptable unit. Good slow speed control, very smooth runner.

Having read how most of the owners of the Spectrum 2-6-6-2's had nothing but high praise for these engine, would anyone know if Bachmann will be re-releasing these units?

A final note, as a result of obtaining the 2-6-6-2 Mantua I later obtained the 2-6-6-2 tank version as well.

I was somewhat surprised that the N/S EZ track sectional pieces required the amount of modification and tweeking as I had to spend getting the trackwork ready.

I am using the EZ Track sections for the mainline on my layout and then swithing to flexible track for the yards. I chose the EZ track for the high roadbeds and am using cork for the yard areas (with lessor roadbed profile). A significant number of the EZ track sectional pieces required shortening of rail and also re-alignment at the joiners as well as the replacement of the railjoiners for a number of sections.

In all fairness, had I stayed with only diesels a lot of time and effort would have been saved laying the trackwork. One I tried the steamers it was a whole new story. Darn those pilots and trailing wheels.

this is just my experience ... but it seems to me that most 'eBay online stores' don't give much of a discount off the MSRP. There is one exception (at least one I've found) that, since he is an authorized Bachmann dealer, I feel free in giving out his name. "The Favorite Spot". If you type in on the eBay search you will find his store. His 'buy it now' prices are very reasonable for the latest Bachmann stuff. And his auctions always start at .01 (and quickly move up from there). But I have been able to get some fantastic (I think) deals from him. Recently I purchased a mint new in box (still in shrink wrap) ICRR Heavy Mountain for a little under $50 plus $12 shipping.

Yes, I have dealth with the Favorite Spot as well. Would check with him first before making any "Bachmann" purchases elsewhere.

Hi, as there have been a few complaints lately about contacting the service Dept. I thought I would relay an incident I had very recently with the Bachman Service Dept.

I need to have a Doodlebug repaired and contacted the Service Department by their e-mail address. I was contacted the next day by Jennifer who answered my questions and who advised me to sent in the unit.

Perhaps instead of phoning more customers should use the e-mail address? I myself have been in contact a number of times with the service department and find e-mail to be adequate.

The 4-4-0 was derailing initially at a switch (the pilot) and then at an ess curve.

On examining the trackwork I noticed that there were small gaps at those locations and used my rail snips and dremel to take out the gaps and now the engine runs fine. I am using ez track and even though the sections are ready to use an examination of the track shows the presence of gaps at a number of locations.

On another segment of my layout (still ez track) the engine still derails (both pilot at swithches and main drivers elsewhere), I can keep the engine out of that area and go around. At those spots I noticed that there are also small gaps at those locations that I will eliminate later.